484-454-3568
31 S Eagle Road, Suite 100 Havertown, PA. 19083
This is a question that many parents ask in our pediatric dental office in Havertown. Once a cavity forms, it should be fixed. If not treated, it will increase in size over time. The infection will spread over time to involve deeper structures of the tooth including the nerve of the tooth. This results in pain and suffering that may affect a child’s daily activities such as play and school attendance. There may also be infection of the surrounding tissues that could spread to other parts of the head and neck.
How are cavities fixed?
A mild tooth decay or cavity may need a simple filling that is a white resin or an amalgam (silver filling) to replace the missing part of the tooth. Severe decay may require nerve treatment and a crown. In situations where decay has extended beyond the tooth into the surrounding tissue, an extraction may be the treatment of choice.
The good news
Just because your child has had dental caries doesn’t mean he/she will continue to have more cavities. Take good care of the teeth by brushing, flossing, avoiding sugary snacks between meals, and regular visits to the dentist. Your children’s dentist will recommend specific protocol to prevent dental caries and maintain your child’s dental health.
